Federal Government Running Out of COVID-19 Funds for Uninsured Patients
The federal government is running low on funding to cover COVID-19 healthcare for uninsured Americans. The US Department of Health and Human Services has distributed $25 billion to healthcare providers during the pandemic to cover the cost of COVID-19 treatments, vaccines and tests for people without insurance. As a result, many of the 30 million uninsured Americans lack access to affordable and timely medical care if they develop an infection. As funds dwindle, some uninsured patients have already experienced the consequences: forgoing treatment and risking severe disease, incurring high medical debt, or both. Lack of money also caused the Biden administration to stop sending free at-home tests via the US Postal Service earlier this fall. The Biden Administration has requested $9 billion in funding from Congress to replenish the fund, but Congress the Senate is unlikely to reach the 60 votes necessary to pass such a measure.
Full Story: New York Times